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The IRS reponded to a complaint about privacy violations by H&R Block involving consumers who use the company’s Free File service. The agency contends that the service “…provides consumers with enhanced security and privacy protections.”
The House Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census oversight, held a hearing, “Data Mining: Current Applications and Future Possibilities,” on March 25. Witness testimony included discussion of concerns associated with privacy issues and the Total Information Awareness (TIA) program as well as the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System …
Currently available online only in OpenBook format, a free pre-publication version of Who Goes There?: Authentication Through the Lens of Privacy, Stephen T. Kent and Lynette I. Millett, Editors, Committee on Authentication Technologies and Their Privacy Implications, National Research Council. The report provides analysis of and recommends guidelines for the development, implementation and deployment of …
The IRS Free File program has generated usage far beyond agency expectations, with 53 million taxpayers anticipated to file eletronically this year according to CNN. However, there is a flip side to this free web service. A coalition of advocacy groups (EPIC, Consumers Union, the Consumer Federation of America, National Consumer Law Center, and the …
Data Mining: Results and Challenges for Government Program Audits and Investigations, by Gregory D. Kutz, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations, and the Census, House Committee on Government Reform. GAO-03-591T, March 25.
Announcement from EPIC’s website, March 24: “In a legal memorandum (pdf) filed with the federal court in Washington, EPIC and the American Civil Liberties Union challenge the Justice Department’s refusal to disclose basic, statistical information concerning implementation of the controversial USA PATRIOT Act. For background information and copies of DOJ and FBI documents that have …
In what can only be described as a huge step backward in the fight against ID theft, the Sacramento Bee reported that the California State University’s computer system has for some years had a “glitch” that allows users to view the social security numbers and personal data of students and employees. State Senator Debra Bowen, …
On March 21, in Case No. 02-2705 and No. 02-2707, State of Missouri v. American Blast, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit issued an opinion that upheld “Provisions of 47 U.S.C. Sec. 227(b)(1)(C) [Telephone Consumer Privacy Act of 1991 (pdf)] regulating unsolicited faxes satisfies the constitutional test for regulation of commercial speech …
InternetNews.com reports that the legal battle by the RIAA to obtain the name of a Verizon ISP customer alleged to have pirated music using a P2P application has escalated with the issuance of more subpoenas demanding the names of other persons accused of copyright infringement. See RIAA Wins Battle With Verizon Over Customer Data for …
EPIC has obtained a copy of an Internal FBI Guidance on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (pdf), dated 1/23/03, that provides detailed information in response to the question, “What do I have to do to get a FISA?” i.e., the steps necessary to obtain authorization for electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes. See also my …
From EPIC: “Current policies for the .COM/.ORG/.NET top-level domains require the publication of personal information, such as a registrant’s mailing address, email address, telephone number, and fax number. EPIC’s WHOIS Privacy Issues Report (pdf), issued as ICANN considers new policies for WHOIS data, recommends that WHOIS policies follow the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development …
The Supreme Court released the official transcript, in PDF (59 pages), of the oral argument held Wednesday, March 5, 2003 in United States v. American Library Association. See several of my previous postings on the case here and here.
